Arab League calls for end to Israeli violations against prisoners

The General Secretary of the Arab League, Nabeel Al-Arabi, called on Tuesday for an end to Israel’s violations against Palestinian prisoners, labelling them “violations of all human rights principles and conventions”.

In a statement issued by his office in Cairo, Mr Al-Arabi – who is in Geneva said that he has held talks with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the issue, especially the case of Samer Al-Issawi. Lawyers for the hunger striker say that he is in a critical condition and could die “at any time” after a protest lasting more than 240 days.

Al-Issawi’s sister, who is a lawyer, said on Monday that her brother refused an Israeli attempt to release him straight to Ramallah instead of Jerusalem, his home city. He has also refused offers to be released and sent to the Gaza Strip and a number of European countries.

The Arab league chief has also held talks with the High Commissioner for Refugees. The Syrian refugee issue was on the agenda; the two looked at ways that the international community can improve the humanitarian situation for the refugees in Syria and neighbouring countries.